The record amount paid for a printed book was $11.5 million (£7.6m) paid in December 2010 for the John James Audubon's Birds of America.

The Bay Psalm book was an attempt by pilgrims to print psalms in a translation closer to the original Hebrew.

David Redden of Sotheby's, who will be auctioning the book on November 26, told the BBC: "The Bay Psalm Book is a mythical rarity. With it, New England declared its independence from the Church of England."

He added: “We have sold books as much as $11.5 million in the past, which are far less rare than this … it’s the greatest rarity in the book world. Nothing is as desirable as the Bay Psalm Book.”

The proceeds will go to help keep the Old South Church in Boston open.